British singer/songwriter Nicholas Rodney, "Nick Drake", is hands down one of the greatest musicians of all time. I will do my best to express in words just how incredible his music is, but ultimately you'll have to listen to find out for yourself. Only recorded three albums in his short life, Nick Drake's melancholy acoustic arrangements exemplified his simple, yet troubled life. His voice is haunting and beyond his years. In fact, the first time I heard him I thought he was a present artist (not one from the late sixties/early seventies). To me, his music teaches us how to slow down the rhythm of the world, pay attention to little things, colors, sounds, trees, tiny animals...everything that people tend to forget. He was an extremely shy person who probably could put Jesus to shame with his modesty and humbleness. However, despite being a shy and introspective individual, he rarely failed to leave a lasting impression on people. He goes deep into feelings but without sticky sentimentalism, asks some questions to life but without being aridly philosophical. He was a man who went deep into life, until it became too much, and the yearning for a better further place became too strong. Severe depression and insomnia lead to his unfortunate overdose of sleeping pills in 1974 (age 26).
This is my favorite picture of Nick Drake. I think I want it blown up in my room back in New Orleans. This photo, in my opinion, represents him the best. Paul Wheeler, friend of Nick, stated that "Your first impression of Nick was of incredible elegance. Only later would you notice his shabby lace-up shoes and ill-fitting jacket." In this photo the natural woods, guitar, book and especially his back turned away all encompass him and his music. When Nick would record, he would face the wall as to avoid glares from people watching. In fact, he only rarely performed live. There are hardly any photos of him, no footage other than of him as a young kid, and because of his introversion, interviews were hard to come by. This is what fuels his cult following. People who hear his music and learn his story want to engulf themselves in everything Nick Drake, but unfortunately they come to a dead end. At some point, his fans can look no further. I've currently hit this end, but his music still leaves much to be understood.
Nick Drake finally received the acclaim he deserved in 2000 when Volkswagen licensed the song "Pink Moon" for a U.S. commercial, leading to a large increase in record sales. I love this commercial not only because it uses a Nick Drake song, but because of the message behind the video. The commercial is basically selling the song because everything the song is about, is what the commercial is preaching. A group of kids drive in the night, roof down, enjoying the moon and as they drive up to the party, they realize they'd rather just go away somewhere quieter in the night.
Five Leaves Left (1969) was the first studio album of Nick Drake. Similar to his second album, but unlike his final album, accompanied orchestrations can be heard throughout. You can't fake these emotions; every poignant lyric, every aching guitar chord, and every weeping cello proclaim that this is the voice of a troubled and self-critical soul. This took him over a year to put it all together. "Cello Song" was covered by The Books (a great band that I will discuss in future posts) for the brilliant compilation album Dark Was The Night. I'm really struggling on how to describe this album. Just listen.
Bryter Layter(1970) is Nick Drake's sophomore album. "With a voice paradoxically feather-light and grave, [one] of the most beautiful and melancholy albums ever recorded." (Alternative Press 2001). Personally, though this album has some of my favorite Nick Drake songs, overall - I prefer his more acoustic works. One of my favorite lyrics is "Stay indoors beneath the floors, talk with neighbors only; the games you play make people say you're either weird or lonely...". Most people should recognize "One of These Things First" as it was featured on the Garden State soundtrack.
Pink Moon (1972) was Nick Drake's final studio album. Some people call this album an "English version of Robert Johnson's blues" - Not only do I love that comparison, but I couldn't agree more. This is my favorite studio album of his because it's simply just Nick and his guitar (with some piano sprinkled in here and there). The result is a bleak testament to melancholy and alienation that has a haunting and pristine beauty. The title track "Pink Moon" is a beautiful folk ballad, performed with just Drake's acoustic guitar playing and haunting vocals. Throughout the album you notice the depth of his lyrics and his guitar playing. Drake intended "Pink Moon" to be his final album, saying he had nothing left to record. When you lose yourself listening to these songs, you can actually convince yourself that this was true. The whole album is only 29 minutes, but that's all it takes. Nick Drake didn't need many words or songs to tell his story.
"Dancing days are here again as the summer evenings grow..."It's summer, and that means only one thing: my summer playlist. Summer is where I feel people discover music more than ever and I take a great deal amount of time prepping for it. And my summer playlist typically reflects the music I enjoyed that year, so with this past year being my biggest music year to date, the possibilities are endless. Last year "By The River" by Dogs defined my summer 2009, but I typically don't find out til after summer what my summer theme song was. However, I can assure you that this summer will be one for the record books as it is my last summer by the sea. I've actually compiled a few playlists together to form my one big summer 2010 playlist. My jazz playlist, a few playlists I made for my friends, my initial summer 2010 playlist, and a new playlist I made inspired by the book I'm reading Mountains Beyond Mountains. Additionally, there are quite a few albums I plan to enjoy, some oldies I'll be revisiting and some newbies thrown in there.
P.S. for some reason Grooveshark is repeating the first track on all my playlists, lo siento.
And of course, it wouldn't be right to be back in PV and not enjoy my Roscoe Road At Night playlist. I added some new songs:
Delicious Albums
...And Then We Saw The Land is the newest album released by the British experimental folk group Tunng. A fellow DJ recommended them to me and I cannot imagine a better summer band. Folktronica is their style and I feel like that genre is best for summer...little bit of laid back melodic folk mixed in with some upbeat grooves - you can't go wrong.
Though an oldie (2003 to be exact), this Animal Collective album Campfire Songs alludes to the warm and inviting atmosphere felt when gathered around a campfire...need I say more?
Saw this movie over Spring Break and knew immediately it would be on my summer 2010 playlist. I'm Not There features Bob Dylan songs sung by Eddie Vedder, Jim James, Iron and Wine, Jeff Tweedy, Willie Nelson, Sonic Youth, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo, The Black Keys, etc...it just summons eager ears. My favorite cover is by far Jim James from My Morning Jacket and Calexico doing "Goin to Acapulco"
Native America or Ross Farbe, a friend of mine at Loyola, made his first solo EP Dancing About Architecture and likes to describe it as something like "folkish drippy smokey pop music". But ultimately you have to listen for yourself. I dig it, a lot. And you will too. You can listen and download for free on the listening link above.
A WTUL New Orleans must...Neon Indian's Psychic Chasms is THE college radio album of the year (atleast at the station I work at). Debut album for the Texas locals, this album is a requirement for anyone's summer playlist. My friends and I like to jam to this when we go through car washes, it just fits.
Mojo Method, Loyola band, friends, comrades, musical geniuses. This now dismembered band once gave a whole new meaning to life for those who were able to witness their glory. Download everything, from every album. "Camouflage", "Mmmelt" (instrumental version from their Giant Human Chessboard EP), and "Sphinx vs. Cobra" are without a doubt an enjoyable bunch. Download and listen for free on the link above.
Project Trio consists of a bassist, cellist, and flute beat-boxer. Flutist Greg Pattillo is an incredible musician who collaborates with his two friends to create Project Trio's third studio album titled Project Trio. Every song is delectable, but the real treat is the last track which is a Guns n Roses cover of "Sweet Child of Mine".Listen To Me
Seventh album, first on new record label, Dr. Dog's newest release Shame, Shame is open for discussion. More produced, more upbeat, just more of everything is what I feel can sum up this album. I need to listen to this more before I make any judgments. Many of the songs have been in the works for years like "Where'd All The Time Go" is actually five years old. It has a little bit more experimentation and a more rock-oriented edge.
Discovered these guys in the station, Horse Feathers are kindling my indie folk fire with their first album released in 2006 Words Are Dead. Listening to this band while reading Mountains Beyond Mountains is very therapeutic and highly recommended.
My good buddies from Loyola, Sun Hotel are nothing but a bunch of drunken bastards who you can't seem to stop listening to. They sing "dirty swamp rocknroll" and are currently making their way up to Connecticut to play in this years B.O.M.B. Fest on May 30th. Their new EP Team Spirit is one big classic American nationalistic ballad that will definitely be my July 4th anthem.
MGMT sophomore album Congratulations is a sort of conceited album about their fame after their debut album Oracular Spectacular (which is the album I own on digital, cd, and vinyl format - I was obsessed with it). My brother (another fellow MGMT lover) went out and bought the cd so we could listen to it together, but I have yet to give it a try. Everyone has told me it's different, more laid back, and I think it will flow well with the rest of my summer jams. We shall see.
Fellow Loyola students Evan and Andrew combine to create High In One Eye and have released their EP Neon Orange. This is what they have to say:"Check this out. We're High In Eye. Some call us Experimental. Some call us math rock. Some people call us on the phone. But most importantly, we are a 2 piece, guitar and drum based, rhythmically driven with eclectic melodies and coarse changes." Their single "Love Itches" is possibly my favorite song from them and I cannot help but crank this up at about 2:20 seconds into it. If you get a chance SEE THESE GUYS LIVE.
My friend Tyler (also lead singer of Sun Hotel) never ceases to inform me of how much I need to listen to Beach House. Teen Dream is the third album and only album I own from this Baltimore duo. Soft, melodic dream pop jams with slow atmospheric rhythms and "haunting lyrics" are Beach House' specialty. Tyler, if you read this - take note that I am taking your advice.
I've said it before, I'll say it again...I fucking love these guys. New Grass Country Club has finally put down a record Join The Club. Since the band had been sitting on these songs for about 4/5 years, they originally were going to call their album Greatest Hits as a joke. "All students at Loyola New Orleans, this fellowship of the string come from the far reaches of this great nation. Playing some of the city's most popular venues, this group of funloving rascals love to do one thing: play music, real nice an' American-like. Well groomed, well mannered, and downright gentlemen, the band shows a ever-blooming maturity that few can top." Their CD Release Party a few weeks ago was easily one of the best shows I've ever seen.
Pixies are always, always on my summer playlists, but this summer in particular is definitely Pixie season. I'll start off with Surfer Rosa simply because of the bassline heard on track one "Bone Machine". Anytime I listen to Pixies, life as I know it gets a little more edgier, a littler more adventurous, a little more raw, and a little more authentic.
The Shins have always been that band whose every album I own, whose songs I can recognize like that (snap your fingers for a visual), but never really truly got into them....until now. Their album Wincing the Night Away is the only one I haven't had the pleasure of listening to in excess. My friend put "Sea Legs" on a mix for me and I couldn't believe I hadn't given this album a listen.
Had the pleasure of seeing The Dead Weather two weeks ago at Jazz Fest and let me tell you, 1) Jack White on drums....wrap your brain around that 2) female lead singer Alison Mosshart who I will honestly agree to have a crush on 3) I don't think I've ever seen anyone get into their music more than this band. Their new album Sea of Cowards was released today May 11, 2010 and I had the pleasure of hearing it at the show. So far it sounds tasty, it could get tastier. "Hustle and Cuss" has the intro of intros...simple and good. First Listen to Dead Weather Album
Fell in love with Beirut after hearing them on the must-have compilation album "Dark Was The Night" with their song "Mimizan". This album The Flying Club Cup is inspired by everything French. I can't wait to travel and this album is just the incentive I need to get myself together and become a wanderlust.
Supergroup Monsters of Folk consists of Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes)
and M. Ward. My friend Murphy can attribute to my appreciation for this band. I've been sleeping on this album for a while, and I think it's about time to wake up.
Tasty Reads Every summer I set aside a pile of books I either want to start reading, finish reading, or re-read. Here are just a few:
British singer/songwriter Nicholas Rodney, "Nick Drake", is hands down one of the greatest musicians of all time. I will do my best to express in words just how incredible his music is, but ultimately you'll have to listen to find out for yourself. Only recorded three albums in his short life, Nick Drake's melancholy acoustic arrangements exemplified his simple, yet troubled life. His voice is haunting and beyond his years. In fact, the first time I heard him I thought he was a present artist (not one from the late sixties/early seventies). To me, his music teaches us how to slow down the rhythm of the world, pay attention to little things, colors, sounds, trees, tiny animals...everything that people tend to forget. He was an extremely shy person who probably could put Jesus to shame with his modesty and humbleness. However, despite being a shy and introspective individual, he rarely failed to leave a lasting impression on people. He goes deep into feelings but without sticky sentimentalism, asks some questions to life but without being aridly philosophical. He was a man who went deep into life, until it became too much, and the yearning for a better further place became too strong. Severe depression and insomnia lead to his unfortunate overdose of sleeping pills in 1974 (age 26).
This is my favorite picture of Nick Drake. I think I want it blown up in my room back in New Orleans. This photo, in my opinion, represents him the best. Paul Wheeler, friend of Nick, stated that "Your first impression of Nick was of incredible elegance. Only later would you notice his shabby lace-up shoes and ill-fitting jacket." In this photo the natural woods, guitar, book and especially his back turned away all encompass him and his music. When Nick would record, he would face the wall as to avoid glares from people watching. In fact, he only rarely performed live. There are hardly any photos of him, no footage other than of him as a young kid, and because of his introversion, interviews were hard to come by. This is what fuels his cult following. People who hear his music and learn his story want to engulf themselves in everything Nick Drake, but unfortunately they come to a dead end. At some point, his fans can look no further. I've currently hit this end, but his music still leaves much to be understood.
